Holiday Retail Theft Mission Results in Numerous Arrests, Recovery of Stolen Merchandise

Press Release

A holiday retail theft mission resulted in numerous arrests and the recovery of stolen merchandise.

On Saturday, December 21, 2024, and Sunday, December 22, 2024, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers from East Precinct, in partnership with Central Precinct's Neighborhood Response Team (NRT), North Precinct's NRT, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), and Multnomah County Sherriff's Office (MCSO), conducted a retail theft mission. This mission was conducted the weekend before the holiday to ensure a safe shopping experience for community members. The mission focused on the Mall 205 and Gateway shopping areas.

The mission resulted in the recovery of more than $3,700 in stolen merchandise. In the past, PPB, CCSO, and MCSO have partnered on several missions which have resulted in hundreds of arrests and warrants served. PPB also participated in a retail theft mission at the Clackamas Town Center hosted by CCSO on December 12, 2024, which resulted in 32 arrests. These missions have been funded by an Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Grant Program resulting in both departments being awarded funding to help staff mission specific work with the goal of targeting retail theft in the Portland Metro Area.

PPB values the partnerships with outside agencies working together to tackle the rise in retail theft which impacts Oregon communities at large. The rise in ORT has caused a change in the shopping experience for everyone in the community. PPB will continue working closely with CCSO, MCSO, and our NRT teams to address this issue in the New Year.

Retail theft is often more than just shoplifting items for personal use. Many suspects are involved in organized theft rings, and steal items that can easily be sold for cash on the secondary market or returned to stores for a "refund." Returning or attempting to return stolen property, no matter the value, is a class-C felony ( https://oregon.public.law/statu… ).

In many cases, these individuals are involved in criminal activity that extends far beyond retail theft, including illegally possessed guns, drug possession and distribution, vehicle theft, and more. Additionally, disrupting theft preserves the viability of retail businesses that serve the Portland community. Therefore, these missions go a long way in improving livability across the area. Mission commanders analyze theft and other crime data to focus their missions on the neighborhoods most impacted by these crimes, which are often large retail shopping complexes. PPB recognizes that smaller local businesses are also impacted by retail theft and it's our belief and goal that arresting and holding prolific thieves accountable will help reduce these crimes for the entire business community.

Final stats after two-day mission:

• 40 Arrests
• 9 Citations
• 14 Vehicles stopped
• 3 Vehicles eluded
• 2 Vehicle pursuits
• 1 Stolen vehicle recovered
• 2 Vehicles Towed
• $3,779.27 in stolen merchandise recovered

PPB would like to thank its partners for their collaboration aimed at addressing retail theft in the Portland Metropolitan area.

Photo description: Police vehicle outside business
Photo description: Suspect under arrest
Photo description: Suspect under arrest
Photo description: Roll call

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